Wales marks the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain

This press release was published under the 2011 - 2016 Welsh government

First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones and Public Services Minister Leighton Andrews have paid tribute to the Welsh pilots who took part in the Battle of Britain.

Sunday 20 September 2015

Today (Sunday 20th) marks the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain, which was the German air force's attempt to gain air superiority over the RAF from July to September 1940.

Their ultimate failure was one of the turning points of World War Two and prevented Germany from invading Britain.

Many Welsh pilots took part, including Fred Rosier from Wrexham who later became Chief Air Marshall and Frederick William Higginson from Gorseinion who was one of the most successful pilots before he was captured and shot down over France in 1941. Welsh airfields also took part, including RAF Pembrey.

Speaking before the Service of Thanksgiving and Rededication to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain in Westminster Abbey, Leighton Andrews said:

“I am pleased to be here today to take part in this commemorative service to mark the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain. We must not forget the sacrifices our Armed Services gave during this conflict and all other conflict in defending our freedom.

“Today is an opportunity not only to recognise and mark our debt and gratitude to veterans of conflicts in our nation’s history, but also to remind us of the importance of supporting and honouring our present Service men, women and Reservists.”

First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones said:

“The Battle of Britain is recognised as hugely significant to the outcome of World War Two. It is right that we pay tribute to the brave pilots who flew in, and won, that fight for supremacy. Without their actions the history of Britain and the rest of Europe could have been very different.”